Whiplash: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Whiplash is a broad term for an injury caused when the head moves rapidly back and forth from sudden deceleration, which is incredibly common during an automobile accident.
The medical definition of whiplash is the sudden extension and flexion of the neck.
Whiplash After a Car Accident
Whiplash usually refers to an injury to the soft tissues of the neck; the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
However, it can also include damage to the discs between vertebrae or the nerves that branch out of the spinal cord in the neck or upper back.
After a car accident, especially one that involved a sudden stop, you may have whiplash.
It’s actually very common and can occur in rear-impact, head-on or “t-bone” collisions. But, you need to know the symptoms so you can seek medical treatment.
Post-Accident: The Symptoms of Whiplash
It may take a few days for symptoms of whiplash to show up, but it’s still important that you seek medical treatment immediately.
Whiplash manifests in several ways, including:
- Pain or stiffness in the neck or upper back
- Shoulder pain or stiffness
- Headache
- Tingling or numbness of one or both arms or hands
- Itching or burning sensation in the neck, shoulder, or arm
Sometimes, more severe whiplash symptoms will also present:
- Memory loss
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
- Visual disturbances
- Depression
Most whiplash victims will feel the injury right away, but many don’t.
Because of the stress and trauma associated with a car accident on Staten Island roads, which are generally packed with traffic and other distractions, it can take time for the pain and stiffness to set in.
Please seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if the pain shows up a day or two after the crash.
If the pain is severe, go to an urgent care center or the closest emergency room right away.
How Long Does Whiplash Take to Heal?
Mild whiplash, usually limited to the soft tissues, can heal as quickly as a bruise. Other whiplash injuries can take weeks to heal, or even months.
Recent studies have shown that whiplash victims are more likely to make a full recovery with quick treatment that involves rehabilitation of the tissues involved.
It’s important to know that whiplash is a serious injury, and you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages or other expenses.
You can talk to a personal injury lawyer about the specifics of your case; an attorney will help determine whether you should file a lawsuit.